It's up to the clubs

MANNING Cricket president David Burley said the association will 'do what the clubs want' regarding the format of the proposed Super League competition that could start next season.

Mr Burley was responding to comments made in Friday's Manning River Times by United and Manning First XI captain Ricky Campbell, who questioned the concept of the association selecting three sides - Manning Coastal, Highlanders and City - to play in the league.

These three teams would be split on a geographical basis.

Campbell supports the Super League idea, but believes established clubs should nominate.

Mr Burley stressed that no decision has been made yet on how the Super League would be set up.

"It's still an open book,'' he said.

"Everything is still open for discussion. If clubs want to nominate then that's the way we will do it.''

Manning is pushing the Super League concept that would involve sides from the three Mid North Coast Council associations - Manning, Hastings and Macleay.

"When we tried to get this going 10 years ago it was going to be club-based,'' Mr Burley said.

As reported on Friday, going on the current pointscore United, Old Bar and Wingham would go into the Super League next summer. This would mean Great Lakes and Taree West moving into an extended second grade competition that would be still be played locally.

The Super League would only involve first grade sides. However, players from Taree West and Great Lakes would be free to transfer to one of the Super League teams.

Mr Burley said the association hasn't had any further talks with the Macleay or Hastings on the matter.

"It will be discussed further at the next Mid North Coast meeting,'' he said.

Manning Cricket secretary Craig Rees is currently putting together a competition timeframe for the Super League.

"As I stated at the (Mid North Coast) council meeting, we can sit here and procrastinate on the negatives or we can be proactive and move forward to get a strong regional first grade competition up and running,'' he told the Times when outlining plans for the Super League.

Meanwhile Manning's chances of defending the Mid North Coast inter-district First XI title have nosedived after losing the final round game against Hastings.

This means Hastings' opponent in the final will be decided on run rates. See page 37 for further details.